The goal of the Armed Forces Games 2024, which are slated to take place in Kaduna, according to the Nigerian Army, is to choose a team that would represent Nigeria at the upcoming African Military Games in Abuja. During a news conference held over the weekend in Kaduna, AVM Abidemi Marquis, the Chairman of the Organising Committee for the Armed Forces Games 2024 and Director of Sports at Defence Headquarters, said that 1,600 athletes would be competing in Kaduna.
He announced that the Armed Forces Games, with the theme “Enhancing military professionalism through sports,” would take place in Kaduna from September 23 to September 27. He added that the Organisation of African Military Sports had granted Nigeria the privilege to hold the African Military Games in Abuja in 2024 and that 19 sporting events would be contested for.
“Kenya hosted the inaugural event 22 years ago; Nigeria has not been allowed to host since because of security issues.General Lucky Irabor, the outgoing Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), agreed to serve as the event’s host in Abuja in 2023.Being a sports enthusiast, the current CDS agreed to host the event at the same location,” he added.
The finest athletes would be chosen through a trial process during the Armed Forces Games 2024 to represent Nigeria’s Armed Forces in the African Military Games, which would take place in Abuja from November 18 to November 30.The games’ main goal is to actually choose our squad, which will represent Nigeria at the African Military Games in Abuja,” the speaker stated.
He claimed that the CDS picked Kaduna to host the event as part of his effort to influence the state’s economy. AVM Abidemi Marquis thanked Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna state for providing some venues for the Armed Forces to host the event, such as Ahmadu Bello Stadium, Murtala Square, and added that NDA, NAF Base, and a private range would also be used for the games fiesta. He also urged sports enthusiasts in the state to participate in the competition, which would be open to everyone.
To date, 44 African states have expressed interest in participating in the African Military Games.We would be holding a Scientific Sports Conference on November 17 and 18, covering a wide range of topics related to sports in general.We have scheduled talks in the Armed Forces officers mess in Abuja by recognised academics, active instructors, and professionals in the sports industry.
“Public participants are encouraged to submit papers by visiting the African Military Games website. The 30th of this month is the deadline for paper submissions. We are open to receiving papers from those who would like to submit them and, of course, have an intellectual discussion with us about what has to be done to advance sports in Nigeria,” he continued.
“During this period, almost 3,000 athletes and officials are coming to Abuja; economic activities will blossom and it will positively depict Nigeria as a sporting powerhouse,” the speaker stated. The 2024 Armed Forces Games will feature competitions in basketball, lawn tennis, golf, track and field, combat swimming, obstacle course, taekwondo, kick boxing, volleyball and archery, among other sports.
